Old Uşak Houses

Old Uşak Houses, Uşak province’s most beautiful structures reflecting its history and culture. These houses help us understand how people lived in the past, how they built their homes, and what urban life was like. Numerous old houses are found in the center of Uşak city. They are typically two-story buildings with projecting windows called “cumba” and courtyards. These features make them both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Old Uşak houses are constructed using natural materials such as stone, wood, and adobe. The ground floor is usually made of stone because it is stronger and more durable. Upper floors feature walls of adobe or wood. Roofs are gabled and typically covered with alaturka tiles. This roof type effectively channels rain and snowmelt away, protecting the house.

The layout of these houses includes a shared living space called a “sofa.” Rooms are arranged around this central area. This arrangement is a classic typology of Turkish homes. From the outside, wooden-decorated doors, windows, and cumbas stand out prominently.

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Local materials were used in the construction of these houses. Stone, adobe, wood, and tiles are materials suited to Uşak’s climate and harmonious with nature. Stone walls are durable while wood provides flexibility. As a result, these houses are both long-lasting and resistant to earthquakes.

Roofs are covered with tiles placed on wooden beams. This design creates a cool environment in summer and a warm one in winter.

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Rooms inside the houses serve multiple purposes. The same room is used for eating, hosting guests, and resting. Common furnishings include an ocak (hearth), yüklük (wardrobe), and sedir (bench). In some houses, separate sections were designated for women and men; this arrangement is known as the “haremlik–selamlık” system.

Moreover, many houses have a courtyard or small garden. These spaces allow residents to live in close contact with nature.

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The old houses of Uşak are currently preserved by the Uşak Governorship, Uşak Municipality, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Some houses have been restored and brought back into use. For example, Dokur Evi is one of the best-known examples of this type of old Uşak house and is open to the public.

Old Uşak houses are cultural heritage sites that preserve traces of the past. They reflect both the beauty of Turkish architecture and the lifestyle of the people of Uşak. Today, both local and international tourists visit these houses to learn about history and culture.